Delta College Preparatory School 2005 Annual Report
KIPP was founded upon the premise that it could change the outcome of a child’s life through education. The belief was that high expectations could overcome the obstacles created by race, economics, and environment. There are forty-ďŹ ve KIPP schools around the country helping students change their expectations. This change is being tested no more thoroughly than right here in the Delta.
The mission of KIPP Delta College Preparatory School is to empower our students to develop the knowledge, skills, and character traits necessary to pursue a college education and a life of value, joy, and integrity.
The logo for KIPP Delta College Preparatory School is a triangle, the fourth letter of the Greek alphabet and the mathematical symbol for change, with a river running through it. It was with this promise of change that we knocked on doors offering a new, and often unsought, path to college. The families and students who were willing to change their aspirations soon became our founding class of 2010. While some of those students have left us, many have stayed and many more have joined. Those who have stayed with us continue to climb the mountain to college. Equally important, many of these students have begun to change their perspectives. They understand that they are not just pursuing a college education for themselves, but for their younger brothers and sisters, for their cousins and friends, and for their neighbors down the street. They have changed themselves and now want to change their community. Today, KIPP Delta College Preparatory School is initiating a capital campaign to build a high school for our students. With your continued support, we will help them change their future. Sincerely,
Scott Shirey Principal Teacher
KIPP schools are tuition-free, open-enrollment, college-preparatory public schools in high-need communities in 15 states and the District of Columbia. Students are accepted regardless of prior academic record, conduct, or socioeconomic background. KIPP schools help ensure that historically underserved students have access to high-quality educational opportunities and eventually to college.
We at KIPP Delta College Preparatory School would like to extend our sincere thanks and appreciation to the following groups, individuals, and foundations. Our continued success would not be possible without your support:
Arkansas Department of Education The Milken Family Foundation Walton Family Foundation Challenge Foundation Arkansas Senator Steve Bryles Arkansas Senator Steve Higginbothom Delta Cultural Center First Bank of the Delta Doris & Donald Fisher KIPP Foundation Helena City Council Senator Blanche Lincoln Martha Lambert Mayor Robert Miller The Shirey Family David Solomon Southern Development Bancorporation United States Department of Agriculture United States Department of Education Ernest and Cathy Cunningham Wendy Carter Teach for America
KIPP Delta College Preparatory School Board Mrs. Cathy Cunningham, Southern Financial Partners Mrs. Dorothy Michel, State of Arkansas Health Services Ms. Alma Rattler, Phillips County Developmental Center Mr. Theortres Parham, Family Counseling Services Mr. Chalk Mitchell, Attorney Mr. Darryl Cobb, KIPP Foundation
Most importantly, we thank the students and families who have committed to doing WHATEVER it takes to climb the mountain to college!
KIPP Delta College Preparatory School (DCPS) is changing the way parents, students, and educators nationwide think about education. Our school day begins at 7:30 a.m. and lasts until 5:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday and until 4:00 p.m. on Fridays. Students also attend school two Saturdays per month and for an additional month during the summer. Our extended day and year schedule accelerates student learning to exceed state curriculum standards and compete at or above-grade levels in language arts, math, science, and social studies. Students, parents, and teachers all sign all do whatever it takes to support
the DCPS Commitment to Excellence form which states that we will the education of the student. In addition, our principal teacher has
the power to swiftly move funds
or make stafďŹ ng changes that will be more effective in helping
students learn. Teachers design lessons
that meet the needs of students at their level, and then
raise everyone to the student performance on ers reinforce learning by
next level. Heavy emphasis is placed on evaluating
Change‌
a daily basis to quickly address learning gaps. Teachassigning homework every night and are available by cell
phone twenty-four hours a day to provide additional support. We ďŹ rmly believe that adequate study time, structure, and resources will prepare our students for a top quality secondary education.
While the staff at KIPP Delta College Preparatory School come from diverse backgrounds and varied educational experiences, they all share the desire and dedication to support the education of their students. Every day their hard work and commitment to student achievement moves us one step closer to accomplishing our mission. Teachers
Staff
Class of 2010 – Amoz Eckerson
Natalie Hull – Office Manager
Sanford Johnson
Missy Doyle – Finance Officer
Wyvonne Sisk
David Briggs – Custodian
Luke VanDeWalle Travis Crawford – Custodian
Class of 2011 – Emily Cook Marcus Nelson
Lillie Rose – Custodian
Tim Smith
Thelma Reed – Transportation Director
Class of 2012 – Ravina Daphtary Elizabeth Johnson Jemar Tisby Class of 2013 – Amanda Austin
Calvin Burnside – Bus Driver
My Expectations
Tommy Stevenson – Bus Driver Carolyn Williams – Bus Driver
Andrea Hamilton
Abbey Leachman – Development Director
Betty Sanders (Founding Teacher)
Scott Shirey – Principal Teacher
“Teachers are more concerned here. They care if you are in class and that you understand what is being taught.” - Jazmine Climons, Class of 2010
At KIPP Delta College Preparatory School, we believe that every dollar should be spent to develop the knowledge, skills, and character traits of our students. To fulfill our mission, we minimize administrative costs to ensure more money directly impacts the students. This past year we dedicated significant resources to improving our library collection and implementing the Accelerated Reader and Star Reader testing programs. These programs supplement our traditional teaching methods by matching students with reading-level appropriate books and by allowing them to practice important reading comprehension skills. On the 2005 Arkansas Benchmark test, 52% of sixth graders and 60% of seventh graders scored Proficient or Advanced in Literacy.
Change…
Our investment in the Accelerated Math and Saxon Math programs has also resulted in significantly improved math test scores. Eighth graders – who scored in the 18th percentile in math on the Stanford norm-referenced test in their first year at DCPS – scored in the 81st percentile this year.
“KIPP has made kids realize that they have a chance. It makes us think about what we want to do in life.” - Stephanie Williams, Class of 2010
Stanford Test Results 2005
2004
2003
2002
Projected 2005-06 Budget Cost per Pupil
Professional Services, $322
Facility Costs, $453
Student Uniforms, $55
My Aspirations
Saturday Enrichment Program, $132
Field Lessons & Special Programs, $600
Staff Cell Phones, $54
Extended Schedule Instructional Salaries & Benefits, $322
These results show that longer hours, great teachers, and a structured learning environment are producing significant academic gains and putting students on the road to college.
At KIPP Delta College Preparatory School, students receive more time to learn than their counterparts in typical public schools. The time spent in school during traditional “after-school” hours keeps them focused on academics and allows us to offer activities and trips that promote character development and help students envision education beyond high school. KIPP Delta College vates students to prepare for college starting in the fifth grade with
Preparatory School motinot only academics, but
extra-curricular activities and field lessons. While all students attend music and physical education courses, basketball, volleyball, and choir clubs meet after school and allow students who are current on all school work to further pursue their interests. Students also build char-
Change…
acter and develop new interests through the Saturday enrichment program. Activities such as dance, gardening, art, design, music, photography, and debate expose
our students to new ideas and supplement our rigorous academic coursework – further strengthening students’ readiness for high-quality high schools and colleges.
Local and out-of-state field lessons offer a break from classroom intensity, while offering challenging activities for students to apply academic knowledge, build character skills, and truly experience what they study. End of year field lessons to Washington, D.C., Utah, Boston, New York, and Philadelphia expose students to the world beyond Helena. Students earn the right to participate in these field lessons by working hard all year and exemplifying the values of the school.
“Hiking in Utah taught me to face my fears and trust my teammates.” - Malik Sheppard, Class of 2011
During the school year, student trips are closer to home. Destinations include the Tunica River Park, the Clinton Presidential Center, the National Civil Rights Museum, the Arkansas State Capitol, and many college campuses. These local trips open students’ eyes to the culture, history, and beauty of The Arkansas Delta and surrounding areas.
My Perspective
“After the summer field lesson I felt more responsible. There were many times we had to do things without the teacher, so we had to be accountable for ourselves.” - Joseph Whitfield, Class of 2011
“I love seeing the KIPP students run up Cherry Street each morning. It is so exciting to see activity in our downtown.” - Bev Hargraves, Owner of Hargraves Insurance
KIPP Delta College Preparatory School is not only working to change the lives of our students, but is also initiating change in our community. As the first new building constructed on Cherry Street in a decade, DCPS is impacting the revitalization of Helena’s historic downtown
Cherry Street before construction of KIPP DCPS
area. Our students bring a vitality, energy, and hope that has not been felt in many years. Each morning the students can be seen exercising, walking, and running on Cherry Street. We have had many positive comments from business owners and citizens who appreciate the renewed activity downtown.
Change…
“The KIPP building has updated interest in a run down area. They’ve created a spark in the community.” - Morse Gist, Owner of Gist Music Cherry Street after completion of KIPP DCPS
KIPPsters are also involved in community service opportunities. On Saturdays, our KIPP Gardening club volunteers at the Gardens of E.D.E.N., a community garden that provides nutritional and entrepreneurial opportunities for Helena residents. Fundraising for Hurricane Katrina relief efforts, participating in Relay for Life, and other activities through the Civitas Club allows our students to experience the joy of giving back to others. Students have also participated in the clean-up of the Levee Walk and the 200 block of Cherry Street as part of the “Main Street” beautification effort before the Arkansas Blues & Heritage Festival, held annually in October.
My Community
In Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, five lucky children find golden tickets hidden inside a candy bar wrapper and are invited to visit Willy Wonka’s factory. In his invitation, Willy Wonka offers a personal tour of the factory and also “surprises that are even more marvelous and more fantasic...mystic and marvelous surprises, that will entrance, delight, intrigue, astonish, and perplex” the golden ticket holders.
At KIPP Delta College Preparatory School, we want all of our students to earn a “Golden Ticket” to college where they will experience the same kinds of “marvelous surprises”. Our fifth graders read Charlie and the Chocolate Factory each year and are promised that through hard work and commitment, they will earn their own “Golden Ticket” to college.
Change…
The first class of KIPPsters is just beginning the eighth grade at DCPS, and next year they will move on to high school. It is no coincidence that our eighth grade uniform shirt is gold. We truly believe these students have shown the dedication and discipline that is necessary to pursue a college education and a life of value, joy, and integrity.
In order to fulfill the promise we made to each fifth grade class, we must continue the KIPP experience beyond eighth grade. In the fall of 2007 we will open a KIPP high school in Helena. Just as Willy Wonka had “surprises that will entrance, delight, intrigue, astonish, and perplex you beyond measure,” we have planned a new KIPP campus that will help change the FUTURE for our students. The new campus will initially consist of a high school building, commons building, and an athletic field. As this is a college-preparatory school, our goal is to construct a campus that resembles a typical American university.
KIPP Delta College Preparatory School will launch a capital campaign in late 2005 to raise funds for this tremendous project. Funding will be secured through public and private grant programs, as well as contributions from
The Future
private donors and foundations.
Campus Features: Twelve classrooms Three science labs Three college style common areas Full-size gymnasium with retractable bleachers Men’s and women’s locker rooms Cafeteria with full kitchen Performing arts stage Art and music rooms Campus library Full-size athletic field with bleachers
We ask that you join our efforts to fulfill the promise of college for each of our students. Your active participation will help KIPP Delta College Preparatory School become a long-standing institution of academic excellence in the Delta.
For more information about our capital campaign, or other ways to get involved at DCPS, please contact the Development OfďŹ ce at 870-753-9444.
Delta College Preparatory School 215 Cherry Street • Helena, AR 72342 • 870.753.9444 www.deltacollegeprep.org